MARYBOROUGH’S Matthew Dellavedova says the Cleveland Cavaliers team “is as close as it has ever been” as it prepares to take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals for the second year in a row.
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The Warriors defeated Dellavedova’s Cavaliers 4-2 in last year’s NBA finals series.
Their 2016 finals series gets under way at 11am on Friday (AEST) in Oakland.
“Having another year together has really helped us,” Dellavedova wrote for NBA Australia.
“It’s the second year that the core has had together, and you continue to get a better understanding of everyone’s tendencies.
“It's just the little things like defensive communication, and where your team-mates like to get the ball on offence.
“The additions of RJ (Richard Jefferson) and Channing (Frye) have helped us. They’ve been great for team chemistry. The team right now is as close as it has ever been.”
The Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the eastern conference finals, wrapping up the series last Saturday.
The defending champion Warriors – who went an NBA record 73-9 during the regular season – were pushed to the brink by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the western conference finals.
The Warriors rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the series with a 96-88 game seven victory on Tuesday.
NBA finals schedule (AEST):
Game 1 – Friday, 11am.
Game 2 – Monday, June 6, 10am.
Game 3 – Thursday, June 9, 11am.
Game 4 – Saturday, June 11, 11am.
Game 5 – Tuesday, June 14, 11am
Game 6 – Friday, June 17 – 11am
Game 7 – Monday, June 20, 10am.
